Tag: traveller

Book Review – Bastard of Istanbul!

Bastard of Istanbul by Elif Shafak’s is a story of Nineteen year old unmarried woman who walks into a doctor’s surgery.

‘I need to have an abortion,’ she announces. And twenty years later the daughter is born from the unmarried woman, Asya Kazanci who lives with her extended family in Istanbul. But, All the Kazanci men die in their early forties, Victims of mysterious family curse, so it’s a house of women. Asya’s cousin visit‘s the family in Istanbul and she bringing long- hidden family secrets connected with turkey’s past. Elif Shafak the author had been on my reading list for a long time and my sister got this book as a souvenir from turkey. In many ways It was like revisiting Turkey, Istanbul and enjoying all the local delicacies through the storytelling as the story unfolds and explores sides of Istanbul that only a local could show you around. The locals delicacies described in the book from Pilaf a popular rice dish in the middle east to Bastrima – Beef cold cuts like Salami is more commonly known as Pastrami to the Manti a type of Turkish dumpling to musaqa baked dish that mainly consist of eggplants ( Aubergines) or potatoes with meat. Very popular in Greece and the Middle East.To the last but not the least Kaburga a Turkish term used for Ribs make the book more authentic and enjoyable.And besides the food, the whole experience and details written, Are more relatable and deepens the connect to understands the country and locals. A Book that will make you want to travel to turkey if you haven’t. And if you have would make you want to revisit turkey.

La Mamounia the destination !!

La Mamounia –La Mamounia hotel is an experience in itself. I can’t think of hotel that I have been to that has so much character and culture. From the moment you enter the hotel,Step into the porch and enter the hotel lobby.You have so much to take in. Every corner,The Guard wearing traditional outfits is worth photographing. 
The lobby is got one of the most “Modern hotel feel” but the rest is very cultured and design oriented. 
The Bars-Churchill & Piano Bar. I just did not want to move from here. Even though I don’t drink.I kept visiting these venues for coffee & orange juice.The worlds best orange juice is found in Morocco,No wonder the hotel had so many orange trees planted in the garden with lemon trees. Everyday having the freshest orange for breakfast or anytime of the day.
If that’s all you thought was the pampering the guest received while staying here. 
Well Pierre Hermé From Paris is right in the hotel lobby,Where you can enjoy some of the best Macrons & Chocolates. 
The restaurants in the hotel have a Moroccan touch in so many ways -From thr stencils glasses to the the velvet upolestry for the chairs and the lamp lighting to set in the mood during the dinner in the evenings. 
The swimming pool too has a worthy view for the ones who just want to laze around for a sun bath.
The most soothing places out of all is the spa.It’s a heaven and paradise in itself.
The Suite in the hotel known as the Riad’s is enough to call it home for many.The hotel has only 3 of these. But,The way it’s done up it’s nothing over the top like many luxury hotels.But is very spacious and tastefully done.Morning you can enjoy the view of the orange trees or rather Enjoy the sunrise between the coconut trees. 
The Moroccan restaurant in the property is one of the best places to enjoy the sun set

Trivia: 
1.Winston Churchill– Has a Bar & Suite named after him here as this was his favourite place in the world-He described the place as the most lovely spot in the world. Winston Churchill would visit often and paint during his stay- His painting are in the Moroccan museum.
2.La Mamounia is named after the prince Al Mamoun.Who was gifted the  gardens, that was attached to the hotel  as a wedding gift in the 18th century.
3.The Most Instagramable Place in #Marrakech 

Travelogue!

Travelling has been the constant change that keeps teaching  me a lot.
The recent event in Sri Lanka.Was another such trip that taught me that it doesn’t matter how much time and effort you give into something.If on the the day you can’t execute and deliver it’s of no use.
And doing events in other countries & states teaches you a lot about the attitude of the people.About an individual and about the place through experience.You live through the whole experience rather than just hearing it from a third person.
Travel also teaches one that people are the same everywhere.You just have to be a good judge of their character.
Colombo,Sri Lanka,I learned how to play pool over the three days I was there.
Every afternoon we played pool at Pebbles restaurant in Taj Samudra and in the end I finally learnt how to strike the ball and position myself for the perfect “Pot”.
Played Table tennis after so many years.It’s was one of the best workouts to chase the ball and concentrate on the ball.
The three day break in Colombo has been the best time during the “Event” time so far.
Sri Lanka is a good place just for a weekend .Otherwise it could be a challenge to live there since it’s an Island and people are lazy and very laid back.
Travelling has made me sure of one thing that I like buzzing cities More than towns.

The Conveyer Belt Sushi Experience!

Sushi has been one of the most popular and widely known food from Japan.

And the Conveyer belt Experience was a thrilling experience.

First get seated on the table and then you have a option of choosing what you would like to order from the tablet kept on the table or just picking up what you like.

The food all Different types of Sushi & Japanese food are doing the rounds on a Conveyer belt,like the ones that take our bags around in the airport.

If you like a particular sushi tuna,Squid,Eel or Tempura prawns just lift them from the belt and keep them on the table,Nobody will screams it’s mine like they do in airport if you have identical bags.

Here the pricing of plates are done by designs. The checkered ones are the most expensive to the Red and blues being affordable. Once you are done with all your bingeing you ask for the Cheque by clicking on the tablet. And then the total is done by multiplying the Type of plates x quantity.

The whole experience,Could be technical as you wouldn’t be used to the idea or might be new! But going with a local or asking a local would be the best thing.

The Traveller’s Trip!

You often,Hear people saying I love travelling!

But,What exactly is travelling?

Is it just going to Popular touristy places or travelling internationally “Been There Done That.” Or is it,Travelling to places,which is visited by a limited/Select few. Or is it travelling from point A to point B?

If you take the classic example of Mumbai.

You would know,Why the last point makes sense.It’s because it’s so widespread and has Vibe in each of its areas.You get to see and understand and learn about different classes and people.

Travelling ,through different means of transport too,You come across so many people from around the country,state and districts.That you realise,there couldn’t be a better way of knowing what people from around the country, do if you don’t travel and what other people think of your city and town.And you too can interact with other professionals,Who you meet and they might help ,When you need help!

On my long travelling journey,To home.nashik,- mumbai

Have met Doctors,Lawyers and real estate developers,Teachers,Insurance agents,Politicans, Caterers and very often students.And it has been so much of fun! To talk to them and to know about what their profession really means to them.

And that’s why I like travelling! Because you get to meet so many new people from

All walks of life,everyday.